After 30 seasons as head coach of the wrestling team at Bronson High School, coach Al Sosinski turned in his resignation on April 12.

"It's something that I've been thinking about for quite a while," said Sosinski. "It's been getting more and more difficult physically to do the everyday grind. The mind and heart still want to do it, but the body is wearing out."

Sosinski, who turned 60 this year, has coached and inspired many wrestlers to walk the halls of BHS, coaching four to individual championships. Those included Ed Micklatcher (1984), Chad Butters (1990), Trevor Ferry (2005) and David Severn (2009, 2010). The Vikes were runners-up in 2002 and 2003 and had won the last 12 district championships dating back to 2002.

But the successes enjoyed by the BHS wrestling program always came after Sosinski's philosophy of family, fun and fundamentals. The members of the program bought into the philosophy, took it to heart and always were influenced by the program's rich past.

"Family was first and we were all like a big family," said Sosinski. "We have a strong influence of the past and the kids recognized that. They all competed hard and respected their opponents and remained humble."

Sosinski was always easily recognizable, wearing a purple blazer to pay respect to BHS and the program.

If Sosinski bled, it was definitely purple. He also helped other BHS programs, coaching boys and girls' tennis and even baseball at one point.

"Al was a great technician," said BHS athletic director Jean LaClair. "If I was to pick one area that I thought he excelled in, it would be the family atmosphere that he brought to the program."

The deep respect for the coach — and the program — was evident by the number of wrestlers who came back to help the program after their high school careers came to a close. Many have come back and served in some capacity as assistant coaches or scorekeepers; helping out during tournaments. The respect Sosinski gave his athletes was always paid forward.

"He was respected by the parents and athletes," said LaClair. "I wish him the best of luck."

The same respect was not only seen by parents, athletes and colleagues but also by competitors.

Former Coldwater High School wrestling coach Tom Sweitzer worked with and competed against Sosinski throughout the years and came away with a lot.

"His teams were always impressive from the standpoint that they were always pulling for each other," said Sweitzer. "I was really impressed with the way they came together as a group."

Sweitzer said there were many times he consulted Sosinski for advice in certain situations — and took wrestlers over to scrimmage Bronson wrestlers between regionals and state just to see different competition.

Page 2 of 2 - "He's a class act," said Sweitzer. "I would take our kids over there so they could see something different or see the same things coached in a different way. That's how much I respected his program."

Union City coach Ed Sybesma saw Bronson on the mats over his tenure at both Athens and at Union City. Sybesma holds a high respect for the Bronson program, even modeling his teams after those of the Vikings.

"They set the bar for everyone in the area," said Sybesma. "As a head coach, I wanted our kids to achieve as much as theirs."

Union City has often competed against Bronson in the postseason over the years, and Sybesma noted that both squads had their times against one another.

For him, preparation was always key when going up against an Al Sosinski-coached team.

"Our kids knew that if you go against a kid from Bronson, you better have your headgear on a little tighter," said Sybesma.

What's Next

Sosinski said he might spend some time as an MHSAA wrestling official, but is also deeply involved in his church, St. Mary's Assumption Catholic in Bronson. Sosinski was in year two of trying to become a deacon, which is a six-year commitment.

Sosinski hopes to spend more time with his family, as the grandfather of five looks to live up to his philosophy on the mats.

"I will miss the kids," said Sosinski. "Watching them develop over time."

Gathering Set

A party honoring Al Sosinski will take place on May 19 at 1 p.m. inside Chicago Street School in Bronson.